The holidays can be difficult for those that are taking the low carb approach. Socially involved holidays can be an exception to enjoy your favorite foods. The ham or turkey, green beans, and the acorn squash are the best options for a low calorie and low carb approach, but you can still enjoy your mashed potatoes and gravy on the special day. When watching the calories, here is a perfect way to use the turkey juices in your gravy rather than thickening it with bread crumbs. This recipe is a French cream version and is lower in carbohydrates and calories with a slight taste of mushrooms. This recipe is courtesy George Stella the author of George Stella’s Livin’ Low Carb: Family Recipes Stella-Style
Simon and Schuster
Yield: 8 servings (about 1 2/3 cups)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ease of preparation: easy
Nutritional Analysis per Serving:
Calories: 113 Total Fat: 10g Saturated Fat: 6g Carbohydrates: 3g Fiber: 0.5g
2 cups defatted turkey juices from turkey roasting pan or homemade turkey or chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 ounces shiitake mushrooms, rinsed, stemmed and sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup dry sherry
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1. Bring the juice to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and reduce by half. Add the cream and cook until reduced enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes.
2. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, thyme, garlic, and sherry and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and almost dry, about 6 minutes
3. Combine the mushrooms with reduced gravy and season with salt and pepper. Reheat, if necessary, and stir in the vinegar. Transfer to a gravy boat and keep warm until serving.
